Repetition of paging notifications in wireless networks

ABSTRACT

According to one configuration, a wireless network environment includes a first wireless network and a second wireless network. A mobile communication device in the wireless network environment receives first paging notifications directed to the mobile communication device from a first wireless base station such as operated by a first wireless network service provider. The mobile communication device receives second paging notifications directed to the mobile communication device from a second wireless base station such as operated by a second wireless network service provider. The wireless network environment provides improved paging over conventional techniques.

BACKGROUND

Conventional wireless networks such as 3GPP specifications only defineassociation of 1 SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) to 1 network (PLMN)for a single mobile communication device (a.k.a., UE or so-called userequipment). However, in many countries across the world, there is a needto have two SIMs associated with the same UE, such as one SIM with asubscription is used for “work” purposes while the second SIM with asubscription is used for “personal or home” purposes. Another example ofmultiple SIM (herewith referred to as MUSIM) use-case is to have one SIMwith subscription for “voice-only” service, while the second SIM withsubscription for “data” services. Given the lack of a globallyharmonized standardized solution, various involved entities (chipsetmanufacturers, device OEMs, network vendors etc.) took it uponthemselves to fill the market demand for above mentioned use-cases.

Conventional user equipment includes single Tx/Rx that can onlycommunicate with one network at a time, dual Rx single Tx that cansimultaneously receive from two networks, and dual Tx/Rx that can inaddition transmit simultaneously to two networks.

The most general case is one in which the multiple networks (PLMNs) areuncoordinated. Due to the lack of coordination, there may be a collisionbetween paging reception on two networks A and B when UE is inIDLE/INACTIVE mode on both. In Rel-17, Network A can be NR; network Bcan either be LTE or NR.

Furthermore, a single-Rx UE may have to switch its reception to anothernetwork before an on-going DL (DownLink) reception on the currentnetwork has been completed.

For example, a UE receiving DL data/control on network A may need toprematurely switch to network B due to an upcoming paging occasion onnetwork B. This leads to conflicts between DL transmission on network Aand paging on network B, resulting in a degradation of either datathroughput or paging delivery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

There are deficiencies associated with conventional techniques ofsupporting switchover from one network to another.

For example, it is desirable that user equipment registered to more thanone network (via multiple SIMs) be able to receive pages from more thanone network. Depending on user equipment capabilities (e.g., Rx and Txcapabilities) this can create situations in which user equipment isoccupied listening to pages from one network, while pages from othernetworks are simultaneously sent and missed. Further, UEs may beactively communicating with one network while another network pages theUE.

If a user switches between communications towards different networks,situations may occur when a UE/user can no longer receive data from anetwork it was recently communicating in. Such situations can have anegative impact on performance, e.g., if pages are sent and not properlyreceived, or if users are scheduled while not being able to receivecommunication.

In contrast to conventional techniques, embodiments herein provideimproved use of wireless in a network environment.

Embodiment 1

A wireless network environment includes a first wireless network and asecond wireless network. A mobile communication device in the wirelessnetwork environment receives first paging notifications directed to themobile communication device from a first wireless base station such asoperated by a first wireless network service provider. The mobilecommunication device receives second paging notifications directed tothe mobile communication device from a second wireless base station suchas operated by a second wireless network service provider. The mobilecommunication device transmits communications to the second wirelessbase station. In one embodiment, the communications from the mobilecommunication device notify the second wireless base station of aconflict associated with the mobile communication device receiving thefirst paging notifications and the second paging notifications.

In accordance with further example embodiments, the communicationsregarding the paging notification conflict indicate timing attributes ofthe first wireless base station transmitting the paging notifications tothe mobile communication device. In one embodiment, via the timingattribute information, the first wireless base station identifies whenthe mobile communication device is allocated a time slot (such as apaging occasion) to receive paging notifications from the secondwireless network.

Further embodiments herein include generating and/or transmitting thecommunications to indicate a paging frame periodicity associated withthe first paging notifications. In one embodiment, the generatedcommunications indicate an offset between a paging frame from the secondwireless base station and a paging frame from the first wireless basestation.

Note further that the communications from the mobile communicationdevice can include any suitable information. For example, in oneembodiment, the mobile communication device generates the communicationsto indicate a relative difference between the first paging notifications(assigned paging occasion of the first wireless paging channelassociated with the first wireless network) and the second pagingnotifications (assigned paging occasion of the first wireless pagingchannel associated with the first wireless network).

Further embodiments herein include generating the communications toindicate an absolute configuration of the first paging notifications anda relative difference between the absolute configuration and the secondpaging notifications.

In yet another example embodiment, the mobile communication devicegenerates the communications to indicate an absolute or relativedifference in time between a time of receiving a first pagingnotification (or monitoring a first allocated paging occasion) from thefirst wireless network and a time of receiving a second pagingnotification (or monitoring a second allocated paging occasion) from thesecond wireless network.

In yet further example embodiments, the mobile communication device isassigned a first SIM to use the first wireless network. In such aninstance, the first paging notifications (and corresponding assignedpaging occasions) are associated with a first SIM (Subscriber IdentityModule) assigned to the mobile communication device. The mobilecommunication device is assigned a second SIM to use the second wirelessnetwork. The second paging notifications (and corresponding pagingoccasions) are associated with the second SIM (Subscriber IdentityModule) assigned to the mobile communication device. In one embodiment,the mobile communication device supports individual and/or simultaneoususe of the first wireless network and the second wireless network.

In still further example embodiments, transmission of the communicationsfrom the mobile communication device to the second wireless networknotifies the second wireless network and corresponding wireless basestation of a paging notification collision/conflict associated with themobile communication device simultaneously receiving a first pagingnotification from the first wireless network and a second pagingnotification from the second wireless network.

Yet further embodiments herein include transmission of thecommunications from the mobile communication device to the secondwireless network to notify the second wireless base station of how tomitigate subsequent paging notification collisions simultaneouslycommunicated from the first wireless base station and the secondwireless base station to the mobile communication device.

In accordance with further embodiments, in response to receiving thecommunication, and to avoid subsequent paging notification (pagingoccasion) collision between two different wireless paging channels, thesecond wireless base station adjusts timing of the second pagingnotifications based on the communications received from the mobilecommunication device.

Yet further embodiments herein include a mobile communication devicethat monitors a first wireless paging channel from a first wirelessnetwork and a second wireless paging channel from a second wirelessnetwork. The mobile communication device receives allocation of firstpaging occasions associated with the first wireless paging channel. Themobile communication device receives allocation of second pagingoccasions associated with the second wireless paging channel. Viacommunications from the mobile communication device to the secondwireless network, the mobile communication device notifies the secondwireless network of timing information and/or a timing conflictassociated with the mobile communication device monitoring the firstpaging occasions and the second paging occasions.

In accordance with further example embodiments, the communications fromthe mobile communication device indicate timing attributes of the firstpaging occasions with respect to the second paging occasions.

In yet further example embodiments, the mobile communication devicegenerates the communications to indicate a paging frame periodicityassociated with the first paging occasions allocated to the mobilecommunication device.

Further embodiments herein include, via the mobile communication device(or other suitable resource), generating the communications to indicatean offset between a paging frame from the second wireless network and apaging frame from the first wireless network. Additionally, oralternatively, the mobile communication device generates thecommunications to indicate timing offset between the first pagingoccasions and the second paging occasions.

In still further example embodiments, transmission of the communicationsfrom the mobile communication device to the second wireless networknotifies the second wireless network of an inability of the mobilecommunication device to simultaneously monitor the first pagingoccasions on the first wireless paging channel and monitor the secondpaging occasions on the second wireless paging channel. The secondwireless network then re-allocates a different set of paging occasionsfor use by the mobile communication device from the second wirelesspaging channel such that the mobile communication device is able toswitch between monitoring paging occasions on both the first wirelesspaging channel and the second wireless paging channel.

Embodiment 2

A wireless network environment includes a first wireless network and asecond wireless network. The first wireless network transmits firstpaging notifications to a mobile communication device, the first pagingnotifications notifying the mobile communication device of paging eventsassociated with the first wireless network. The first wireless networkalso monitors a schedule of second paging notifications scheduled fortransmission to the mobile communication device from a second wirelessnetwork. Via communications from the first wireless network to themobile communication device, first wireless network notifies the mobilecommunication device of the schedule of paging notifications associatedwith the second wireless network. Thus, the first wireless networkprovides paging notifications for both the first wireless network andthe second wireless network.

In accordance with further example embodiments, notification to themobile communication device of the schedule of paging notificationsincludes: notifying the mobile communication device of an absence of apaging notification in a corresponding paging frame of a wireless pagingchannel from the second wireless network in the schedule.

In still further example embodiments, notification to the mobilecommunication device of the schedule of paging notifications includes:notifying the mobile communication device of an absence of a pagingnotification from the second wireless network in a particular pagingcycle of multiple paging cycles.

In accordance with further embodiments, notification to the mobilecommunication device of the schedule of paging notifications includes:notifying the mobile communication device of an upcoming pagingnotification scheduled for transmission from the second wireless networkto the mobile communication device.

The communications from the first wireless network can include anysuitable information. For example, in one embodiment, the communicationsfrom the first wireless network to the mobile communication deviceinforms the mobile communication device not to monitor for second pagingnotifications from the second wireless base station.

In yet further embodiments, the communications from the first network isor includes a message notifying the mobile communication device to skipmonitoring for presence of a paging notification from the secondwireless network. In one embodiment, the message is a pagingnotification from the first wireless network.

In still further example embodiments, the first paging notifications areassociated with a first SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) assigned to themobile communication device; the first SIM (such as provided to themobile communication device by a first wireless network serviceprovider) provides the mobile communication device use of the firstwireless network. The second paging notifications are associated with asecond SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) assigned to the mobilecommunication device; the second SIM (such as provided to the mobilecommunication device by a second wireless network service provider)provides the mobile communication device use of the second wirelessnetwork.

In still further example embodiments, the communications from the firstwireless network include a first paging notification generated by thefirst wireless network. In one embodiment, the first paging notificationis included in a data field of a downlink control channel message fromthe first wireless network to the mobile communication device.

In yet further example embodiments, a data field of the communicationsfrom the first wireless network indicates how many occurrences that thesecond paging notifications are not scheduled for transmission from thesecond wireless network.

Embodiment 3

A wireless network environment includes a first wireless network and asecond wireless network. A mobile communication device in the wirelessnetwork environment receives paging notifications from the firstwireless network. In response to receiving input while the mobilecommunication device is wirelessly connected to the first wirelessnetwork, the mobile communication device generates a switchovernotification indicating a planned temporary switchover tuning (such as aso-called tune-away) of the mobile communication device to the secondwireless network. The mobile communication device transmits theswitchover notification to the first wireless network. The switchovernotification informs the first wireless network of the planned temporaryswitchover tuning.

In accordance with further example embodiments, the mobile communicationdevice receives a paging notification from the first wireless network.The mobile communication device produces an acknowledgement messageacknowledging receipt of the paging notification by the mobilecommunication device from the first network. The mobile communicationdevice communicates the acknowledgement message to the first wirelessnetwork. In one embodiment, the acknowledgement message includes theswitchover notification indicating the temporary planned switchovertuning.

The planned switchover notification can include any suitableinformation. For example, in one embodiment, the planned switchovernotification indicates a duration of time in which the mobilecommunication device is scheduled to be unavailable to monitor forreceipt of paging notifications from the first wireless network.

In yet further example embodiments, while monitoring a pagingnotification channel of the second wireless network during the plannedtemporary switchover tuning, the mobile communication device detects apaging notification directed to the mobile communication device. In oneembodiment, the paging notification indicates a grant of wirelessresources associated with the second wireless network to the mobilecommunication device. In response to detecting the paging notificationfrom the second wireless network, the mobile communication devicecommunicates an updated planned switchover notification over the firstwireless communication link to the first wireless network. The updatedplanned switchover notification informs the first wireless network thatan initial planned duration of the temporary switchover tuning of themobile communication device to the second wireless network has beenextended.

In yet further example embodiments, the switchover tuning by the mobilecommunication device includes a temporary tune-away of wireless hardwareof the mobile communication device from the first wireless network tothe second wireless network. That is, the mobile communication devicetunes hardware of the mobile communication device from the firstwireless network to the second wireless network back to the firstwireless network. Subsequent to the temporary tune-away to the secondwireless network, the mobile communication device utilizes its wirelesshardware to monitor a paging notification channel of the first wirelessnetwork again.

In accordance with further example embodiments, a first SIM (SubscriberIdentity Module) is assigned to the mobile communication device andsupports connectivity of the mobile communication device to the firstnetwork operated by a first wireless network service provider. A secondSIM (Subscriber Identity Module) is assigned to the mobile communicationdevice supports connectivity of the mobile communication device to thesecond network operated by a second wireless network service provider.

In one embodiment, the first wireless network terminates communicationof paging notifications to the mobile communication device during theplanned temporary switchover tuning of the mobile communication deviceto the second wireless network.

In accordance with further example embodiments, the planned temporaryswitchover notification indicates a duration of time that the mobilecommunication device tunes its corresponding antenna hardware to thesecond wireless network instead of the first wireless network for aduration of time. After expiration of the duration of time, the mobilecommunication device tunes its antenna hardware back to the firstwireless network.

Embodiment 4

A wireless network environment includes a mobile communication deviceand a first wireless network. The first wireless network receives inputindicating to operate a wireless paging channel in a paging repetitionmode for a mobile communication device. In response to receiving theinput, the first wireless network allocates multiple paging occasions ina respective paging frame cycle of the wireless paging channel to themobile communication device. Via the wireless paging channel, inaccordance with the paging repetition mode, the first wireless network(such as a corresponding wireless base station) repeats a given pagingnotification in each of the multiple paging occasions allocated to themobile communication device.

In one embodiment, the repetition of given paging notification inmultiple different paging occasions of the wireless paging channelensures that the mobile communication device is able to receive thegiven paging notification even if the mobile communication devicehappens to miss receiving the given notification in one of the allocatedpaging occasions. For example, in one embodiment, the repetition of thegiven paging notification allows the mobile communication device totemporarily tune-away to a second wireless network and return tomonitoring the wireless paging channel of the first wireless network insufficient time to detect at least one rendition of the given pagingnotification.

Further embodiments herein include, from the first wireless network,transmitting the given paging notification from the wireless pagingchannel to the mobile communication device in response to detecting thatthe mobile communication device is a multi-SIM device that subscribes tothe first wireless network and a second wireless network. In oneembodiment, the given paging notification is associated with a first SIM(Subscriber Identity Module) assigned to the mobile communicationdevice; the first SIM is provided to the mobile communication device bya first wireless network so. The mobile communication device is assigneda second SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) to support wirelesscommunications with the second wireless network. If desired, the secondwireless network can be configured to support repetition of pagingnotifications (paging repetition mode) to the mobile communicationdevice on its corresponding (second) wireless paging channel. Supportingthe paging repetition mode on multiple different wireless pagingchannels of different wireless networks provides yet further flexibilityto the mobile communication device because the mobile communicationdevice is able more easily receive paging notifications on the differentwireless channels.

In accordance with further example embodiments, the multiple pagingoccasions on the wireless paging channel of the first wireless networkincludes a first paging occasion and a second paging occasion. The firstpaging occasion is present in a first paging frame of the wirelesspaging channel; the second paging occasion is present in a second pagingframe of the wireless channel. Repetition of the given pagingnotification includes: i) encoding the first paging occasion to includethe given paging notification, and ii) encoding the second pagingoccasion to include the given paging notification.

In yet further embodiments, the multiple paging occasions includes afirst paging occasion and a second paging occasion in a single pagingframe of the wireless paging channel. In such an embodiment, repeatingthe given paging notification includes: i) encoding the first pagingoccasion to include the given paging notification, and ii) encoding thesecond paging occasion to include the given paging notification. In oneembodiment, the first paging occasion is contiguous with the secondpaging occasion in the wireless paging channel.

Yet further embodiments herein include providing notification that thewireless paging channel of the first wireless network supportsrepresentation of paging notifications. For example, embodiments hereininclude communicating a wireless message from the wireless base stationof the first wireless network to the mobile communication device. Thewireless message notifies the mobile communication device that the firstwireless network supports paging repetition. As previously discussed,the mobile communication device can be configured to notify the firstwireless network to provide repetition of paging notifications.

In yet further example embodiments, the multiple paging occasionsincludes a first paging occasion and a second paging occasion of thewireless paging channel. Repetition of the given paging notificationincludes encoding the second paging occasion to include the given pagingnotification in response to detecting that the mobile communicationdevice missed receiving the given paging notification in the firstpaging occasion.

In one embodiment, a respective paging notification carries or includesan index value indicating the order of repetition of the pagingnotification. For instance a first paging occasion can be configured tocarry a first paging message and a first index value; a second pagingoccasion can be configured to include a second paging message and asecond index value; a third paging notification can be configured toinclude a third paging message and a third index value; and so on. Inone embodiment, the user equipment (UE) uses the index values to furthertune its operation for subsequent reading of the future pagingnotifications.

As a more specific example, in one embodiment, the multiple pagingoccasions includes a first paging occasion and a second paging occasion,the first paging occasion being included in a first paging frame of thewireless paging channel and the second paging occasion being included ina second paging frame of the wireless channel. Repeating the givenpaging notification includes: i) encoding the first paging occasion toinclude the given paging notification and a first identifier valueindicating that the given paging notification in the first pagingoccasion is a first transmission of the paging notification, and ii)encoding the second paging occasion to include the given pagingnotification and a second identifier value indicating that the givenpaging notification in the second paging occasion is a secondtransmission of the paging notification.

In accordance with further example embodiments, the multiple pagingoccasions includes a first paging occasion and a second paging occasionin a respective same paging frame of the wireless paging channel. In oneembodiment, repeating the given paging notification includes: i)encoding the first paging occasion to include the given pagingnotification and a first identifier value indicating that the givenpaging notification in the first paging occasion is a first transmissionof the paging notification, and ii) encoding the second paging occasionto include the given paging notification and a second identifier valueindicating that the given paging notification in the second pagingoccasion is a second transmission of the paging notification.

Yet further embodiments herein include, at the wireless base station,receiving the input in a communication from the mobile communicationdevice. As previously discussed, the input indicates that the mobilecommunication device supports connectivity with multiple wirelessnetworks including the first wireless network and the second wirelessnetwork. In one embodiment, the input is a request from the mobilecommunication device notifying the first wireless network to support aspecific type of paging notifications over the wireless paging channelof the first wireless network.

As previously discussed, embodiments herein are useful over conventionalpaging notifications. For example, repetition of a respective pagingnotifications as described herein ensures a high likelihood that themobile communication device will receive a respective pagingnotification. When repetition of paging notifications is implemented ina wireless paging channel from the first wireless network and a wirelesspaging channel from the second wireless network, the mobilecommunication device is able to more easily receive paging notificationsfrom the two different networks.

Note that any of the resources as discussed herein can include one ormore computerized devices, mobile communication devices, sensors,servers, base stations, wireless communication equipment, communicationmanagement systems, controllers, workstations, user equipment, handheldor laptop computers, or the like to carry out and/or support any or allof the method operations disclosed herein. In other words, one or morecomputerized devices or processors can be programmed and/or configuredto operate as explained herein to carry out the different embodiments asdescribed herein.

Yet other embodiments herein include software programs to perform thesteps and operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below. Onesuch embodiment comprises a computer program product including anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium (i.e., any computerreadable hardware storage medium) on which software instructions areencoded for subsequent execution. The instructions, when executed in acomputerized device (hardware) having a processor, program and/or causethe processor (hardware) to perform the operations disclosed herein.Such arrangements are typically provided as software, code,instructions, and/or other data (e.g., data structures) arranged orencoded on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium such as anoptical medium (e.g., CD-ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, memory stick,memory device, etc., or other medium such as firmware in one or moreROM, RAM, PROM, etc., or as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit(ASIC), etc. The software or firmware or other such configurations canbe installed onto a computerized device to cause the computerized deviceto perform the techniques explained herein.

Accordingly, embodiments herein are directed to a method, system,computer program product, etc., that supports operations as discussedherein.

One embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium and/or systemhaving instructions stored thereon. The instructions, when executed bythe computer processor hardware, cause the computer processor hardware(such as one or more co-located or disparately processor devices orhardware) to: receive first paging notifications directed to a mobilecommunication device from a first wireless station; receive secondpaging notifications directed to the mobile communication device from asecond wireless station; and transmit communications to the secondwireless base station, the communications notifying the second wirelessbase station of a conflict associated with the mobile communicationdevice receiving the first paging notifications and the second pagingnotifications.

Another embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium and/orsystem having instructions stored thereon. The instructions, whenexecuted by the computer processor hardware, cause the computerprocessor hardware (such as one or more co-located or disparatelyprocessor devices or hardware) to: at a mobile communication device:receive allocation of first paging occasions associated with a firstwireless paging channel, the first wireless paging channel associatedwith a first wireless network; receive allocation of second pagingoccasions of a second wireless paging channel, the second wirelesspaging channel associated with a second wireless network; and viacommunications from the mobile communication device to the secondwireless network, notify the second wireless network of timinginformation associated with the mobile communication device monitoringthe first paging occasions and the second paging occasions.

Another embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium and/orsystem having instructions stored thereon. The instructions, whenexecuted by the computer processor hardware, cause the computerprocessor hardware (such as one or more co-located or disparatelyprocessor devices or hardware) to: transmit first paging notificationsto the mobile communication device, the first paging notificationsnotifying the mobile communication device of paging events associatedwith the first wireless network; monitor a schedule for second pagingnotifications scheduled for transmission to the mobile communicationdevice from a second wireless network; and via communications from thefirst wireless network to the mobile communication device, notify themobile communication device of the schedule of paging notificationsassociated with the second wireless network.

Another embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium and/orsystem having instructions stored thereon. The instructions, whenexecuted by the computer processor hardware, cause the computerprocessor hardware (such as one or more co-located or disparatelyprocessor devices or hardware) to: receive input at a wireless basestation in a first wireless network, the input indicating that a mobilecommunication device supports connectivity with both the first wirelessnetwork and a second wireless network; in response to receiving theinput, allocate multiple paging occasions on a wireless paging channelfrom the first wireless network to the mobile communication device; andon the wireless paging channel, repeat a given paging notification ineach of the multiple paging occasions allocated to the mobilecommunication device.

The ordering of the steps above has been added for clarity sake. Notethat any of the processing steps as discussed herein can be performed inany suitable order.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure include software programsand/or respective hardware to perform any of the method embodiment stepsand operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below.

It is to be understood that the system, method, apparatus, instructionson computer readable storage media, etc., as discussed herein also canbe embodied strictly as a software program, firmware, as a hybrid ofsoftware, hardware and/or firmware, or as hardware alone such as withina processor (hardware or software), or within an operating system or awithin a software application.

As discussed herein, techniques herein are well suited for use in thefield of providing dynamic data flow prioritization that variesdepending on current network conditions. However, it should be notedthat embodiments herein are not limited to use in such applications andthat the techniques discussed herein are well suited for otherapplications as well.

Additionally, note that although each of the different features,techniques, configurations, etc., herein may be discussed in differentplaces of this disclosure, it is intended, where suitable, that each ofthe concepts can optionally be executed independently of each other orin combination with each other. Accordingly, the one or more presentinventions as described herein can be embodied and viewed in manydifferent ways.

Also, note that this preliminary discussion of embodiments herein (BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS) purposefully does not specify everyembodiment and/or incrementally novel aspect of the present disclosureor claimed invention(s). Instead, this brief description only presentsgeneral embodiments and corresponding points of novelty overconventional techniques. For additional details and/or possibleperspectives (permutations) of the invention(s), the reader is directedto the Detailed Description section (which is a summary of embodiments)and corresponding figures of the present disclosure as further discussedbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example diagram of a wireless network environment providingwireless paging notifications (and paging occasions) via differentwireless networks according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 2A is an example diagram illustrating collisions (or nearcollisions) of paging occasions and/or paging notifications occurring intwo different wireless paging channels according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 2B is an example diagram illustrating implementation of wirelesspaging channel adjustments according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating a wireless network environmentimplementing wireless paging channels and corresponding techniquesaccording to embodiments herein.

FIG. 4 is an example diagram illustrating implementation of a wirelesspaging channel according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 5 is an example diagram illustrating timing associated withmultiple wireless paging channels according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram illustrating a wireless network environmentimplementing wireless paging channels and corresponding techniquesaccording to embodiments herein.

FIG. 7 is an example timing diagram illustrating repetition of pagingnotifications in a paging channel according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 8 is an example timing diagram illustrating repetition of pagingnotifications in a paging channel according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 9 is an example timing diagram illustrating repetition of pagingnotifications in a paging channel according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 10 is an example timing diagram illustrating repetition of pagingnotifications in a paging channel according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 11 is an example diagram illustrating example computer hardware andsoftware operable to execute one or more operations according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 12 is an example diagram illustrating a method according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 13 is an example diagram illustrating a method according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 14 is an example diagram illustrating a method according toembodiments herein.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments herein, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to thesame parts throughout the different views. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed uponillustrating the embodiments, principles, concepts, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

According to one configuration, a wireless network environment includesa first wireless network and a second wireless network. A mobilecommunication device in the wireless network environment receives firstpaging notifications (in first paging occasions) directed to the mobilecommunication device from a first wireless base station such as operatedby a first wireless network service provider. The mobile communicationdevice receives second paging notifications (in paging occasions)directed to the mobile communication device from a second wireless basestation such as operated by a second wireless network service provider.In one embodiment, the first wireless network service provider operatesthe first wireless network independently of the second service provideroperating the second wireless network. Different embodiments hereinprovide improved ways of implementing paging notifications anddistribution of information in a wireless network environment supportingmultiple wireless networks.

More specifically, with reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 is an examplediagram of multiple wireless networks independently operated withrespect to each other to provide wireless paging notifications accordingto embodiments herein.

As shown in FIG. 1, wireless network environment 100 includes a firstwireless network 121, a second wireless network 122, and mobilecommunication device 110.

Via wireless paging channel 131, the wireless network 121 communicatespaging notifications 151 to one or more mobile communication devices inthe wireless network environment 100.

Via wireless paging channel 132, the wireless network 122 communicatespaging notifications 152 to one or more mobile communication devices inthe wireless network environment 100.

In one embodiment, user 108 subscribes to use of both wireless network121 and wireless network 122. For example, assume that the mobilecommunication device 110 is assigned a first SIM 171 (SubscriberIdentity Module) provided by a first wireless network service providerto use the first wireless network 121 and corresponding wirelessconnectivity provided by wireless network 121. In such an instance, thefirst paging notifications 151 communicated over wireless paging channel131 (and one or more respective allocated paging occasions) areassociated with a first SIM 171 assigned to the mobile communicationdevice 110.

The mobile communication device 110 is assigned a second SIM (SubscriberIdentity Module) 172 via a second wireless network service provider touse the second wireless network 122. The second paging notifications 152communicated over the wireless paging channel 132 (and one or morerespective allocated paging occasions) are associated with the secondSIM 172 assigned to the mobile communication device 110.

In certain instances, note that the first SIM 171 and the second SIM 172are provided by a same wireless network service provider. However, insuch an instance, the first wireless network 121 supports a first typeof wireless communications such as voice or telephony communications.The second wireless network 122 supports a second type of wirelesscommunications such as data communications (such as supporting web pageretrieval, email retrieval, video content delivery, etc.).

In general, a SIM is an integrated circuit that securely storesinformation such as the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI).In certain instances, it is a memory chip that enables a respective userto receive and establish phone calls via the mobile communication device110. The identity information provides a way to send communications tothe mobile communication device 110.

In this example embodiment, assume that the wireless network 121 isoperated by a first service provider (wireless network service provider#1) and includes any number of wireless base stations including wirelessbase station 161. Wireless base station 161 includes communicationmanager 141 (such as a gNode B or other suitable entity) that receivespaging notifications directed to the mobile communication device 110(and potentially other mobile communication devices) and communicatessuch paging notifications 151 in respective paging occasions over thewireless paging channel 131 in the wireless network environment 100.

Wireless network 122 operated by a second service provider includes anynumber of wireless base stations including wireless base station 162.Wireless base station 162 includes communication manager 142 (such as agNode B or other suitable entity) and receives paging notificationsdirected to the mobile communication device 110 (and potentially othermobile communication devices) and communicates such paging notifications152 in respective paging occasions over the wireless paging channel 132in the wireless network environment 100.

Note that the mobile communication device 110 supports individual and/orsimultaneous use of the first wireless network 121 and the secondwireless network 122. Communication of the one or more pagingnotifications 151 over wireless paging channel 131 informs the mobilecommunication device 110 of any suitable event (alert, message, etc.)such as that the wireless network 121 has something available for themobile communication device 110, the mobile communication device 110should perform a respective function, etc.

Thus, via the wireless paging channel 131, the mobile communicationdevice 110 in the wireless network environment 100 receives first pagingnotifications 151 directed to the mobile communication device 110 from afirst wireless base station 161 (and communication manager 141) such asoperated by a first wireless network service provider (service provider1).

The mobile communication device also receives second pagingnotifications 152 directed to the mobile communication device 110 fromthe second wireless base station 162 (and communication manager 142)such as operated by a second wireless network service provider (serviceprovider #2).

In one embodiment, the mobile communication device 110 monitors receiptof paging notifications and/or assigned paging occasions and providesfeedback (such as via communications 145) to one or both of the wirelessnetwork 121 and wireless network 122 regarding receipt of pagingnotifications (and/or allocated paging occasions) over the wirelesspaging channel 131 and wireless paging channel 132.

For example, in one embodiment the communication management resource 140of the mobile communication device 110 monitors for and detects aconflict associated with receiving the paging notifications 151 (and/orallocated paging occasions) from the wireless network 121 and the pagingnotifications 152 (and/or allocated paging occasions) from the secondwireless network 122. This can include detecting that the pagingnotifications (or allocated paging occasions) are scheduled fortransmission or are received too close in time (or overlapping) withrespect to each other on different wireless paging channels. Thiscondition (overlapping or too close in time paging occasions and/orpaging notifications on different wireless paging channels) isundesirable because the mobile device 110 may not be able to switchquickly enough between the wireless paging channels 131 and 132 toreceive paging notifications if they are communicated to close in timeto each other.

In response to detecting the paging notification conflict (such ascollisions or nearness in time), the communication management resource140 of the mobile communication device 110 transmits communications 145to the second wireless base station 162. In one embodiment, thecommunications 145 from the mobile communication device 110 notify thesecond wireless base station 162 of the detected conflict associatedwith the mobile communication device 110 receiving the first pagingnotifications 151 (or corresponding allocated paging occasions) and thesecond paging notifications 152 (or corresponding allocated pagingoccasions).

In accordance with further example embodiments, note that thecommunications 145 from the mobile communication device 110 to wirelessnetwork 121 can indicate timing attributes of the first wireless basestation 161 transmitting and/or mobile communication device 110receiving the paging notifications 151. The timing attributes caninclude information indicating timing attributes of wireless basestation 161 communicating paging notifications 151 to the mobilecommunication device 110.

Further embodiments herein include generating and/or transmitting thecommunications 145 to indicate a paging frame periodicity associatedwith the first paging notifications 151. In one embodiment,communication of the paging frame periodicity or other suitableinformation enables the wireless network 122 to identify an offset ofpaging frames from the wireless paging channel 132 with respect to thewireless paging channel 131.

In addition to or as an alternative to paging frame periodicity, themobile communication device 110 can be configured to notify the wirelessnetwork 122 of the specific time slot (such as allocated pagingoccasion) of the paging frame (and/or paging occasions of the pagingframe) in which the mobile device 110 is assigned to receive the pagingnotifications from the wireless network 121.

Thus, if desired, the generated communications 145 from the mobilecommunication device 110 indicate an offset between a paging frame fromthe second wireless base station 162 (wireless paging channel 132) and apaging frame from the first wireless base station 161 (wireless pagingchannel 131).

Alternatively, the communications 145 indicate an absolute time ofpaging occasions of the wireless paging channel 131 allocated for use bythe mobile communication device 110. Based on such information, thewireless network 122 adjusts the paging occasions of the wireless pagingchannel 132 allocated to the mobile communication device 110 such thatthey are sufficiently spaced apart from the allocated paging occasionsof the wireless paging channel 131.

Note that yet further specific embodiments herein include provisioningby the mobile communication device 110 (user equipment) of its pagingconfiguration on network 121 (a.k.a., network A) to network 122 (a.k.a.,network B), or vice versa.

For example, either of wireless networks 121 or 122 may broadcast arequest for provision of said information (such as timing informationassociated with paging notifications and/or paging occasions asdescribed herein from each of the different wireless paging channels) byINACTIVE UEs, or send a dedicated higher-layer request to CONNECTED modeUEs. In other words, a respective network (such as wireless network 121or wireless network 122) can be configured to request that mobilecommunication device 110 in the wireless network environment 100 provideinformation about timing of the mobile communication device 110receiving paging notifications (and/or allocated paging occasions) ondifferent wireless paging channels. Additionally, or alternatively, themobile communication device 110 and corresponding communication manager140 can be configured to know to provide communications 145 includingtiming information and or conflict as described herein.

In one embodiment, the timing information (feedback) in communications145 received from the mobile communication device 110 is used by therecipient network (wireless network 121 and/or wireless network 122) tomitigate subsequent paging collisions with each other or with othernetworks on which the mobile communication device 110 may be monitoringpaging, as described in subsequent embodiments.

Note that the UE (mobile communication device 110) may be in an INACTIVEor a CONNECTED mode on a respective network to which it is sending thepaging configuration message (such as in communications 145), sincesmall data transmissions in INACTIVE mode are supported in Rel-17.

Note further that the mobile communication device 110 can be configuredto provide timing information associated with either a relative pagingconfiguration notification (communications 145) or an absolute pagingconfiguration notification (communications 145) regarding the pagingnotification conflict (such as collisions, near collisions, generalinformation about timing associated with paging notifications ondifferent wireless paging channels, etc.) experienced by the mobilecommunication device 110 receiving paging notifications from wirelesspaging channel 131 and wireless paging channel 132.

For example, as further discussed herein, if the mobile communicationdevice 110 sends the Network A (wireless network 121) configurationinformation (paging notification information) as detected by the mobilecommunication device 110 to Network B (wireless network 122), Network Bis informed of the paging frame/paging occasion information on network A(121) associated with the mobile communication device 110. In certaininstances, the information in the communications 145 prompts thewireless network 122 to adjust timing associated with the wirelesspaging channel 132 to avoid conflict of paging occasions allocated oneach of the wireless paging channels 131 and 132.

Relative Paging Notification Information

In one embodiment, the mobile communication device 110 (UE) provides theany or all of the following information to network B (122) in case ofrelative paging configuration signaling:

-   -   Frame offset between UE paging frames (such as PF with lowest        System Frame Number) on network A (121) and PFs (PF with lowest        SFN) on network B (122).    -   PF periodicity (such as width of paging cycle) on network A        (wireless network 121) relative to PF periodicity (such as width        of paging cycle) on network B (wireless network 122).    -   Slot offset between start of UE POs (Paging Occasions) on        network A (wireless network 121) and start of POs (paging        occasions) on network B (wireless network 122). In one        embodiment, the slot offset duration is with reference to the        subcarrier spacing on network B.        Absolute Paging Notification Information

Additionally, or alternatively, the mobile communication device 110 (UE)provides any or all of the following information in communications 145to network B (122) in case of absolute paging configuration signaling:

-   -   Lowest PF (paging frame) SFN (System Frame Number) on network A        (121)    -   PO (paging occasion or paging notification) locations (such as        time slot) within PF (paging frame) on network A (121)    -   paging frame periodicity (paging cycle or paging frame spacing)        on network A (121)    -   SFN (System Frame Number) offset between paging notification        frames in network 121 and paging notification frames in network        122.

One non-limiting example of the proposed RRC (Radio Resource Control)message, PagingConfigReport, from a RRC_INACTIVE UE (mobilecommunication device 110) to the network is given next for the relativepaging configuration. In this example embodiment, the signaling radiobearer is assumed to be SRB0, logical channel is CCCH, and RLC-SAP isassumed to be TM. A CONNECTED UE may use SRB1 or SRB2.

-- ASN1START -- TAG-PagingConfigReport-START PagingConfigReport ::=SEQUENCE {  PagingFrameOffset  BIT STRING (SIZE (10)) POStart_SlotOffset  BIT STRING (SIZE (6))  RelativePagingCycle ENUMERATED {FourT, TwoT, OneT, HalfT, QuarterT) } --TAG-PagingConfigReport-STOP -- ASN1STOP

Another non-limiting example of the proposed RRC message,PagingConfigReport, from an RRC_INACTIVE UE (mobile communication device110) to the network is given next for the absolute paging configuration.The PO (Paging Occasion) locations are indicated in granularity of slotlocations (such as via an index or other suitable value) within the PF(Paging Frame). The cross-network paging cycle is in units of radioframes. Signaling radio bearer is assumed to be SRB0, logical channel isCCCH, and RLC-SAP is assumed to be TM. A CONNECTED UE may use SRB1 orSRB2.

-- ASN1START -- TAG-PagingConfigReport-START PagingConfigReport ::=SEQUENCE {  PagingFrameSFN  BIT STRING (SIZE (10))  POlocations  BITSTRING (SIZE (6))  SFNOffset  BIT STRING (SIZE (10))  CrossPagingCycle ENUMERATED {rf32, rf64, rf128, rf256, spare} } --TAG-PagingConfigReport-STOP -- ASN1STOP

FIG. 2A is an example diagram illustrating collisions occurring in twodifferent wireless paging channels according to embodiments herein.

Graph 210 in FIG. 2A illustrates collision (or near collisions) ofpaging notifications transmitted to the mobile communication device 110over different wireless paging channels 131 and 132.

For example, wireless paging channel 131 includes paging frame 241-1;wireless paging channel 132 includes paging frame 242-1.

Paging notification 231-1 (or paging occasion) in paging frame 241-1 ofwireless paging channel 131 is directed to the mobile communicationdevice 110 from wireless network 121; paging notification 232-1 (orpaging occasion) in paging frame 242-1 of wireless paging channel 132 isdirected to the mobile communication device 110 from wireless network122.

Because the paging notification 231-1 (paging occasion) and pagingnotification 232-1 (paging occasion) are transmitted in the sameduration of time between time T2 and time T4 (resulting in a so-calledcollision or near collision), the mobile communication device 110 isunable to receive both paging notifications in the event that it doesnot include such antenna hardware to simultaneously monitor both. If themobile communication device 110 is unable to simultaneously tune to andreceive the paging notification 231-1 (in a respective allocated pagingoccasion of wireless paging channel 131) and paging notification 232-1(in a respective allocated paging occasion of wireless paging channel132) from both wireless base stations 161 and 162, the mobilecommunication device 110 will miss a respective paging notification onone wireless paging channel or the other.

Even if the paging notifications 231-1 and 232-1 are sent atnon-overlapping times, note that the mobile communication device 110 maynot be able to switch its receiver antenna hardware quickly enoughbetween monitoring the wireless paging channel 131 and the wirelesspaging channel 132 to simultaneously receive the paging notifications231-1 and 232-1.

As previously discussed, embodiments herein address such issues(overlapping paging notifications or paging notifications transmittedaround the same time) via providing timing information to either or bothnetworks to modify times (such as paging frames and/or time slots orpaging occasions in the paging frames) when the different wirelessnetworks 121 and 122 communicate the paging notifications to the mobilecommunication device 110. In one embodiment, the adjustments to thepaging occasions in at least one of the wireless paging channels 131 and132 ensures that the mobile communication device 110 is able to receivepaging notifications from both wireless networks.

In one embodiment, the mobile communication device 110 is aware of thedifferent time slots (such as indexed based pointer indicating whichtime slot or paging occasion of a respective paging frame potentiallyincludes a paging notification for the mobile communication device 110)and different paging frames in which the paging notifications 231-1 andpaging notification 232-1 are transmitted. In one embodiment, with suchinformation, the mobile communication device 110 generatescommunications 145 indicating the conflict (or near conflict) as well astiming information associated with paging notifications communicated ondifferent wireless paging channels.

The communications 145 from the mobile communication device 110 caninclude any suitable information. For example, in one embodiment, themobile communication device 110 generates the communications 145 toindicate a relative difference between a first paging notification 231-1(first paging occasion) and a second paging notification 232-1 (secondpaging occasion) in graph 210 of FIG. 2A.

Alternatively, in one example embodiment, the mobile communicationdevice 110 generates the communications 145 to indicate an absolutedifference in time between a time T2 (such as start time) of receivingthe first paging notification 231-1 (or assigned paging occasion) onwireless paging channel 131 and a time T3 (such as start time) ofreceiving the second paging notification 232-1 (or assigned pagingoccasion) on the wireless paging channel 132. In either case, thewireless network 121 and corresponding communication manager 142 isnotified of timing information indicating the nearness in time of thepaging occasions on each wireless paging channel.

Thus, transmission of the communications 145 from the mobilecommunication device 110 to the wireless base station 162 associatedwith the second wireless network 122 notifies the second wirelessnetwork 122 and corresponding wireless base station 162 of a collisionassociated with the mobile communication device 110 simultaneouslyreceiving the first paging notification 231-1 (paging occasion) from thefirst wireless network 121 and the second paging notification 232-1(paging occasion) from the second wireless network 122.

As previously discussed, note that the timing information generated bythe mobile communication device 110 need not be based on actualexperience of the mobile communication device 110 simultaneouslyreceiving paging notifications on different wireless paging channels.For example, in one embodiment, a suitable entity such as the wirelessnetwork 121 directly notifies the mobile communication device of apaging frame of a paging cycle and time slot (paging occasion) withineach assigned paging frame that is assigned to the mobile communicationdevice 110 for delivery of paging notifications. As previouslydiscussed, the mobile communication device 110 can be configured tomonitor the wireless paging channel in the assigned time slot (pagingoccasion) of a respective paging frame to receive a paging notification.In such an instance, the mobile communication device need notcontinuously monitor the wireless paging channel.

As further discussed below, the communications 145 from the mobilecommunication device 110 to the second wireless network 122 notify thesecond wireless network and corresponding wireless base station 162 howto mitigate subsequent paging notification (or paging occasion)collisions simultaneously communicated from the first wireless basestation 161 (wireless network 121) and the second wireless base station162 (wireless network 122) to the mobile communication device 110.

FIG. 2B is an example diagram illustrating wireless paging channeladjustments according to embodiments herein.

As previously discussed, if the paging notifications are overlapping ortoo close in time to each other, the wireless network 122 uses thereceived communications 145 and corresponding timing information incommunications 145 as a basis to adjust the timing of communicatingsubsequent paging notifications (paging occasions) as shown in graph 220of FIG. 2B.

In one embodiment, based on timing information (and/or schedulinginformation such as from mobile communication device 110 or othersuitable entity) associated with paging notifications communicated fromthe wireless network 121, the wireless network 122 and correspondingwireless base station 162 adjust the corresponding subsequent timing ofcommunicating paging notifications 231 (or paging occasions allocated tothe mobile communication device 110) over the wireless paging channel132 such that the subsequent paging notification 231-2 (or allocatedpaging occasions associated with the wireless paging channel 131) andsubsequent paging notification 232-2 (or allocated paging occasionsassociated with the wireless paging channel 132) are spaced apart intime greater than or equal to a threshold value DELTA-T as shown ingraph 220. In one embodiment, via communication manager 142 and wirelessbase station 162, wireless network 122 notifies the mobile communicationdevice 110 that it is assigned a different paging frame (such as pagingframe 242-2) within a paging cycle and/or paging occasion in the newlyassigned paging frame 242-2 such that the paging notification issufficiently offset with the paging occasion (paging notification 231-2)in paging frame 242-1 on a subsequent cycle.

Additionally, or alternatively, the mobile communication device 110notifies the wireless network 121 to adjust a paging frame andcorresponding time slot (paging occasion) assigned to the mobilecommunication device 110 to receive paging notifications 151 such thatthey are sufficiently spaced apart in time with respect to the pagingoccasions on the wireless paging channel 132 (paging frame andcorresponding time slot) assigned to the mobile communication device110.

In one embodiment, the adjusted spacing of paging notifications (such asbeing spaced apart greater than a threshold value DELTA-T) enables themobile communication device 110 to receive paging notifications fromboth the wireless paging channel 131 (for SIM 171) and wireless pagingchannel 132 (for SIM 172).

For example, based on increased spacing of paging notifications andpaging occasions between wireless paging channels from differentwireless networks, the mobile communication device 110 switches antennahardware between receiving one or more paging notifications (viamonitoring paging occasions) on the wireless paging channel 131 andreceiving paging notifications (via monitoring paging occasions) on thewireless paging channel 132. In such an instance, a paging notification(paging occasion) on the wireless paging channel 131 is sufficientlyspaced in time from a paging notification (paging occasion) on thewireless paging channel 132 such that the mobile communication device110 is able to switch corresponding antenna hardware between the twowireless paging channels to receive both paging notifications.

Accordingly, as shown in graph 220 of FIG. 2B, in response to receivingthe communications 145 (such as one or more messages), the secondwireless base station 162 adjusts timing of the second pagingnotifications 152 and paging occasions to be monitored by the mobilecommunication device 110 based on the communications 145 received fromthe mobile communication device 110.

FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating a wireless network environmentimplementing wireless paging channels and corresponding techniquesaccording to embodiments herein.

As shown in FIG. 3, wireless network environment 100 includes a firstwireless network 121, a second wireless network 122, and one or moremobile communication devices (such as including mobile communicationdevice 110).

Via wireless paging channel 131, the wireless network 121 communicatespaging notifications 151 (such as paging notifications A) in respectivepaging occasions to one or more mobile communication devices in thewireless network environment 100. Different portions (such as pagingoccasions or time slots) of the wireless paging channel 131 are assignedto different mobile communication devices in the wireless networkenvironment 100. The different mobile communication devices monitortheir assigned paging occasions or time slots of the wireless pagingchannel 131 for paging notifications from the wireless network 121.

Via wireless paging channel 132, the wireless network 122 communicatespaging notifications 152 (such as paging notification B) in pagingoccasions to one or more mobile communication devices in the wirelessnetwork environment 100. Different portions (such as paging occasions ortime slots) of the wireless paging channel are assigned to differentmobile communication devices in the wireless network environment 100.The different mobile communication devices monitor their assigned pagingoccasions or time slots of the wireless paging channel 132 for pagingnotifications from the wireless network 122.

In one embodiment, user 108 operating mobile communication device 110subscribes to use of both wireless network 121 and wireless network 122.For example, assume that the mobile communication device 110 is assigneda first SIM 171 (Subscriber Identity Module) from a first wirelessnetwork service provider to use the first wireless network 121 andcorresponding wireless connectivity. In such an instance, at least aportion of the first paging notifications 151 (or paging occasions)communicated over wireless paging channel 131 are associated with afirst SIM 171 assigned to the mobile communication device 110.

The mobile communication device 110 is also assigned a second SIM(Subscriber Identity Module) 172 provided by a second wireless networkservice provider to use the second wireless network 122. At least aportion of the second paging notifications 152 (paging occasions)communicated over the wireless paging channel 132 are associated withthe second SIM 172 assigned to the mobile communication device 110.

In general, as previously discussed, a SIM is an integrated circuit thatsecurely stores information such as the International Mobile SubscriberIdentity (IMSI). In one embodiment, it is a memory chip disposed inrespective user equipment that enables a respective user to receive andestablish phone calls or wireless connectivity via the mobilecommunication device 110.

In this example embodiment, the wireless network 121 is operated by afirst service provider (wireless network service provider #1) andincludes any number of wireless base stations including wireless basestation 161. Wireless base station 161 receives paging notificationsdirected to the mobile communication device 110 and communicates suchpaging notifications 151 over the wireless paging channel 131 in thewireless network environment 100.

Wireless network 122 operated by a second service provider includes anynumber of wireless base stations including wireless base station 162.Wireless base station 162 receives paging notifications directed to themobile communication device 110 and communicates such pagingnotifications 152 over the wireless paging channel 132 in the wirelessnetwork environment 100.

As previously discussed, the mobile communication device 110 monitors arespective assigned one or more paging occasions (time slots) inrepeated paging frame cycles to retrieve different paging notificationsover time.

Note that the mobile communication device 110 supports individual and/orsimultaneous use of the first wireless network 121 and the secondwireless network 122. In one embodiment, the mobile communication device110 switches between use of the first wireless network 121 and thesecond wireless network 122.

Communication of the one or more paging notifications 151 over wirelesspaging channel 131 informs the mobile communication device 110 of anysuitable event (alert, message, command, etc.) such as that the wirelessnetwork 121 has something available for the mobile communication device110, the mobile communication device 110 should perform a respectivefunction, etc.

Thus, via the wireless paging channel 131, the mobile communicationdevice 110 in the wireless network environment 100 receives first pagingnotifications 151 (in first allocated paging occasions) directed to themobile communication device 110 from a first wireless base station 161such as operated by a first wireless network service provider (serviceprovider #1).

Note that the mobile communication device 110 also receives secondpaging notifications 152 (in its allocated paging occasions of thewireless paging channel 132) directed to the mobile communication device110 from the second wireless base station 162 such as operated by asecond wireless network service provider (service provider #2).

In accordance with further example embodiments, the wireless network 122receives schedule information (such as via paging schedule information321) regarding paging notifications scheduled to be communicated fromthe first wireless network 121 to the mobile communication device 110 inrespective paging occasions of the wireless paging channel 131. In oneembodiment, the paging schedule information 321 can include any suitableinformation such as which of one or more paging frames, paging cycles,paging occasions, etc., associated with the wireless paging channel 131are scheduled to include, or not to include, a paging notification tothe mobile communication device associated with SIM 171.

Thus, in one embodiment, via paging schedule information 321, the secondwireless network 122 monitors a schedule of the paging notifications 151scheduled for transmission to the mobile communication device 110 fromthe first wireless network 121.

Further embodiments herein include notifying the mobile communicationdevice 110, via communications 345 from the wireless base station 162,of the paging schedule information 321 such as whether or not a pagingnotification is scheduled to be transmitted to the mobile communicationdevice 110.

For example, in one embodiment, via communications 345 from the secondwireless network 122 to the mobile communication device 110 such as overthe wireless paging channel 132 (or other channel), the second wirelessnetwork 122 notifies the mobile communication device 110 of the scheduleof one or more paging notifications 151 (or corresponding pagingoccasions) associated with the first wireless network 121.

If desired, the second wireless network 122 and corresponding wirelessbase station 162 can be configured to provide paging notifications 152associated with the second wireless network 122 as well as pagingschedule information 321 associated with the first wireless network.

As further discussed below, note that communications 345 from thewireless base station regarding the paging schedule information 321 caninclude any suitable information to notify the mobile communicationdevice 110 regarding a schedule of future paging notifications (such aspresence or absence of paging notifications) associated with thewireless network 121. In one embodiment, the wireless base station 162communicates the paging schedule information 321 (or derivativeinformation thereof) associated with the first wireless network 121 inone or more paging occasions (assigned to the mobile communicationdevice 110) of the wireless paging channel 132 from the wireless network122 to the mobile communication device 110.

Note that communication of the paging schedule information 321 (orcorresponding information derived from the schedule information)associated with wireless paging channel 131 via communications 345 overthe wireless paging channel 132 (or other suitable wirelesscommunication channel) is useful because the mobile communication device110 and corresponding communication management resource 140 need notswitch over to monitoring the wireless paging channel 131 unless it isknown that there will be a paging notification for the mobilecommunication device 110. For example, in one instance, the scheduleinformation 321 indicates that no paging notifications are scheduled tobe sent by the wireless network 121 to the mobile communication device110. In such an instance, the mobile communication device 110 does notswitch over to monitoring the wireless paging channel 131 because it isunnecessary.

In another instance, the schedule information 321 indicates that thereis at least one paging notification scheduled to be sent by the wirelessnetwork 121 to the mobile communication device 110. In this latterinstance, the mobile communication device does switch over to monitoringthe wireless paging channel 131 to receive the schedule pagingnotification.

Thus, embodiments herein provide communication enhancements to avoidunnecessary switching (by the mobile communication device 110) betweenmonitoring the wireless paging channel 132 of wireless network 122 andthe wireless paging channel 131 of wireless network 121 when a pagingnotification is absent on wireless paging channel 131 from the wirelessnetwork 121.

In one embodiment, the communications 345 support a so-called ‘pagingskip’ indication as further discussed below, although the communications345 support communication of any suitable information.

FIG. 4 is an example diagram illustrating timing associated withmultiple wireless paging channels according to embodiments herein.

As previously discussed, in one embodiment, the mobile communicationdevice 110 is a MUSIM (Multi-Universal SIM) user equipment registeredwith both wireless networks 121 and 122. The wireless network 121supports a first type of wireless communications to the mobilecommunication device 110; wireless network 122 supports a second type ofwireless communications to the mobile communication device 110.

In accordance with yet further example embodiments, assume that themobile communication device 110 monitors paging occasion 532-1 of pagingframe 542-1 (between time T51 and T52) in wireless paging channel 132and receives communications 345. Assume further that wireless network122 (network B) informs the mobile communication device 110 of thepaging notification schedule information (such as absence of one or morepaging notifications) via a ‘paging skip’ message in communications 345of the paging occasion 531-2 assigned to the mobile communication device110.

In such an instance, because the mobile communication device 110 isinformed that no paging notifications will be present on the wirelesspaging channel 131 for one or more upcoming paging occasions, pagingframes, paging cycles, etc., as indicated by the communications 345, themobile communication device 110 does not need to switch to monitoringwireless paging channel 131 associated with wireless network 121 for anypossible upcoming paging frames or paging occasions (such as pagingframe 541-2 and paging occasion 531-2) because it is known viacommunications 345 that there will be no paging notification on wirelesspaging channel 131 in this time slot (paging occasion) allocated to themobile communication device 110. Based on the communications 345 in thisexample embodiment, the mobile communication device 110 does notswitchover to monitoring the wireless paging channel 131.

In one non-limiting example embodiment, the inter-network coordination(i.e., sharing of paging notification schedule information) isimplemented when both wireless network 121 and 122 use the same AccessManagement Function (AMF) in the core network that is responsible forthe paging strategy, or if a N14 reference point is available betweenthe AMFs of each network, or if both networks are owned by the sameoperator.

As a non-limiting example embodiment, communications 345 such asincluding a ‘paging skip’ indication from the wireless network 122 istransmitted using the short message paging container sent on PDCCH(Physical Downlink Control CHannel) using DCI (Downlink ControlInformation) Format 1_0 in NR (New Radio).

More specifically, in one embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, the wirelesspaging channel 132 includes multiple paging cycles (PF cycle #1, PFcycle #2, etc.) of repetitive paging frames (such as paging frame PF1,paging frame PF2, paging frame PF3, etc.). As further shown in FIG. 5,in accordance with further example embodiments, each paging frame of arespective paging frame cycle is partitioned into multiple time slotssupporting paging occasions (PO1, PO2, PO3, PO4, etc.).

Each paging occasion potentially includes a paging notificationcommunicated to a respective mobile communication device 110 in wirelessnetwork environment 100. Each mobile communication device in thewireless network environment 100 is assigned one or more differentpaging occasions to monitor for paging notifications directed to it.

In one embodiment, each paging occasion (PO) in a respective pagingframe includes a PDCCH portion 511 (that stores a P-RNTI or RadioNetwork Temporary Identifier value, or user equipment group) and a PDSCHportion 512 (carrying user data such as a respective paging notificationassociated with the wireless network 122).

In this example embodiment, assume that the paging occasion PO2 ofpaging frame PF2 for each paging frame cycle of wireless paging channel132 is assigned, on an as-needed basis, to convey paging notificationsassociated with the mobile communication device 110. In one embodiment,as previously discussed, the paging occasion PO2 includes PDCCH portion511 and PDSCH portion 512 monitored by the mobile communication device110.

If desired, the wireless base station 162 and/or wireless network 122includes the communications 345 in the PDCCH portion 511 of therespective paging occasion PO2 in the wireless paging channel 132,notifying the mobile communication device 110 (assigned the pagingoccasion) of the schedule of paging notifications (in accordance withschedule information 321) on the wireless paging channel 131.

Accordingly, embodiments herein include providing paging scheduleinformation 321 associated with the wireless network 121 in one or moredata fields of a downlink control channel message (such as PDCCH portion511) from the second wireless network 122 to the mobile communicationdevice 110.

In accordance with further example embodiments, in addition to detectingcommunications 345 in the paging occasion PO2, note that the mobilecommunication device 110 monitors the PDCCH portion 511 of its assignedpaging occasion PO2 to determine if there is any paging notificationassociated with the wireless network 122 included in the PDSCH portion512. If yes, such as that the PDCCH portion 511 indicates presence of apaging notification, the mobile communication device 110 decodes thePDSCH portion 512 as well to determine if there is a paging notificationintended for the mobile communication device 110 from the wirelessnetwork 122.

Thus, the paging occasion PO2 assigned to the mobile communicationdevice 110 for the wireless paging channel 132 can be used to provideschedule information associated with paging notifications on thewireless paging channel 131, even though the wireless paging channel 132is communicated by the second wireless network 122.

In one embodiment, there are at least 19 reserved bits in the downlinkcontrol information of the PDCCH portion 511 when only short messagepaging is used. As previously discussed, such bits (in the PDCCH portion511) can be used to convey paging notification schedule information(communications 345 such as indicating paging skip, paging present,commands, alerts, etc., as in paging schedule information 451)associated with the wireless paging channel 131. Thus, the wirelesspaging channel 132 can be used for providing paging notificationsassociated with both the wireless network 121 and the wireless network122.

In yet further example embodiments, two or more of the downlink controlinformation bits are used to indicate cross-network paging scheduleinformation such as shown in paging notification schedule information451 of FIG. 4.

Depending on setting of bit information communicated in communications345 to the mobile communication device 110 over the wireless pagingchannel 132 as indicated by the paging schedule information 451, themobile communication device 110 learns of paging notification schedulingassociated with the wireless paging channel 131 and/or wireless network121.

For example, in one embodiment, notification to the mobile communicationdevice 110 of the schedule of paging notifications includes: setting adata value or data field=00 in communications 345; the 00 settingnotifies the mobile communication device 110 to skip all subsequentpaging occasions until a next paging frame of the wireless pagingchannel 131 from the first wireless network 121. Skipping monitoring ofthe paging occasions reduces power consumed by the mobile communicationdevice 110.

Yet further, notification to the mobile communication device 110 of theschedule of paging notifications in communications 345 includesinclusion of data value=01 in a respective data field of the PDCCH port511, which notifies the mobile communication device 110 to skip a nextpaging frame of the wireless paging channel 131 due to an absence of apaging notification in that next paging frame of the wireless pagingchannel 131 from the first wireless network 121 to the mobilecommunication device 110.

Thus, the communications 345 from the second wireless network caninclude any suitable information informing the mobile communicationdevice 110 not to monitor for paging notifications on the wirelesspaging channel 131 as none will be present.

In yet further example embodiments, a data field of the communications345 from the second wireless network 122 can be set to indicate how manyoccurrences that the paging notifications from the first wirelessnetwork and corresponding wireless paging channel 131 are not scheduledfor transmission from the first wireless network 121 over the wirelesspaging channel 131.

For example, in one embodiment, a bit value or setting of data string 10in the communications 345 notifies the mobile communication device 110to skip monitoring of the next two paging frames of the wireless pagingchannel 131 because there will be no paging notifications for the mobilecommunication device 110 in such frames of the wireless paging channel131.

A bit value or setting of 11 in the communications 345 notifies themobile communication device 110 to skip the next four paging frames ofthe wireless paging channel 131 because there will be no pagingnotifications for the mobile communication device 110 in such pagingframes.

Note again that the message information in communications 345 caninclude any suitable information. For example, in one embodiment, thecommunications 345 (notification) to the mobile communication device 110can be configured to indicate an upcoming paging notification scheduledfor transmission from the first wireless network 121 to the mobilecommunication device 110. In such an instance, the mobile communicationdevice 110 is notified via communications 345 (over the wireless pagingchannel 132) of the presence of a future scheduled paging notificationto the mobile communication device 110 over the wireless paging channel132. In response to receiving the notification that a pagingnotification will be present on the wireless paging channel 131, themobile communication device 132 switches over to at least temporarilymonitoring the wireless paging channel 131.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram illustrating a wireless network environmentimplementing wireless paging channels and corresponding techniquesaccording to embodiments herein.

As shown in FIG. 6, wireless network environment 100 includes a firstwireless network 121, a second wireless network 122, and one or moremobile communication devices (such as including mobile communicationdevice 110).

Via wireless paging channel 131, the wireless network 121 communicatespaging notifications 151 in respective paging occasions to one or moremobile communication devices in the wireless network environment 100.

Via wireless paging channel 132, the wireless network 122 communicatespaging notifications 152 in paging occasions to one or more mobilecommunication devices in the wireless network environment 100.

In one embodiment, user 108 operating mobile communication device 110subscribes to use of both wireless network 121 and wireless network 122.For example, assume that the mobile communication device 110 is assigneda first SIM 171 (Subscriber Identity Module) from a first wirelessnetwork service provider to use the first wireless network 121 andcorresponding wireless connectivity. In such an instance, at least aportion of the first paging notifications 151 (or paging occasions)communicated over wireless paging channel 131 are associated with afirst SIM 171 assigned to the mobile communication device 110.

The mobile communication device 110 is also assigned a second SIM(Subscriber Identity Module) 172 provided by a second wireless networkservice provider to use the second wireless network 122. At least aportion of the second paging notifications 152 (paging occasions)communicated over the wireless paging channel 132 are associated withthe second SIM 172 assigned to the mobile communication device 110.

In general, a SIM is an integrated circuit that securely storesinformation such as the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).In one embodiment, it is a memory chip disposed in respective userequipment that enables a respective user to receive and establish phonecalls or wireless connectivity via the mobile communication device 110.

In this example embodiment, the wireless network 121 is operated by afirst service provider (wireless network service provider #1) andincludes any number of wireless base stations including wireless basestation 161. Wireless base station 161 receives paging notificationsdirected to the mobile communication device 110 and communicates suchpaging notifications 151 over the wireless paging channel 131 in thewireless network environment 100.

Wireless network 122 operated by a second service provider includes anynumber of wireless base stations including wireless base station 162.Wireless base station 162 receives paging notifications directed to themobile communication device 110 and communicates such pagingnotifications 152 over the wireless paging channel 132 in the wirelessnetwork environment 100.

Via SIM 171 and SIM 172, note that the mobile communication device 110supports individual and/or simultaneous use of the first wirelessnetwork 121 and the second wireless network 122. In one embodiment, themobile communication device 110 switches between use of the firstwireless network 121 and the second wireless network 122. Communicationof the one or more paging notifications 151 over wireless paging channel131 informs the mobile communication device 110 of any suitable event(alert, message, command, etc.) such as that the wireless network 121has something available for the mobile communication device 110, themobile communication device 110 should perform a respective function,etc.

As a more specific example, via the wireless paging channel 131, themobile communication device 110 in the wireless network environment 100receives first paging notifications 151 directed to the mobilecommunication device 110 from a first wireless base station 161 such asoperated by a first wireless network service provider (service provider#1). The mobile communication device 110 also receives second pagingnotifications 152 directed to the mobile communication device 110 fromthe second wireless base station 162 such as operated by a secondwireless network service provider (service provider #2).

In accordance with further example embodiments, via communications 621the wireless base station 161 notifies the mobile communication device110 that the wireless network 121 supports paging repetition asdescribed herein. Via communications 622 the wireless base station 162notifies the mobile communication device 110 that the wireless network121 supports paging repetition as described herein.

Additionally, or alternatively, the mobile communication device 110 candetermine based on prior history that the wireless network 121 supportsa paging repetition mode and that wireless network 122 supports a pagingrepetition mode.

Assume that the communication manager 140 of the mobile communicationdevice 110 would like to operate in a repetition paging mode for bothpaging notifications from the first wireless network 121 and the secondwireless network 122. In such an instance, via communications 631, thecommunication manager 140 of the mobile communication device 110notifies the wireless network 121 to provide so-called paging repetitionassociated with the wireless paging channel 131; via communications 632,the communication manager 140 of the mobile communication device 110notifies the wireless network 122 to provide so-called paging repetitionassociated with the wireless paging channel 132.

In one embodiment, the communications 631 (such as input) further notifythe wireless base station 161 and corresponding first wireless network121 that the mobile communication device 110 supports connectivity withboth the first wireless network 121 and another wireless network such aswireless network 122. In other words, in one embodiment, the mobilecommunication device 110 notifies the wireless network 121 that it is aMUSIM (Multi-Universal SIM) device.

In accordance with further example embodiments, in response to receivingthe input (such as via communications 631) from mobile communicationdevice 110 (or other suitable entity) that the mobile communicationdevice 110 is a multi-SIM device supporting connectivity to multipledifferent wireless networks and/or that the first wireless network 121is to operate the wireless paging channel 131 in the paging repetitionmode for the mobile communication device 110, the first wireless network121 allocates multiple paging occasions on the wireless paging channel131 for use by the mobile communication device to receive one or morepaging notifications 151 from the wireless network 121.

Further, in response to receiving the input (such as via communications632) from mobile communication device 110 (or other suitable entity)that the mobile communication device 110 is a multi-SIM devicesupporting connectivity to multiple different wireless networks and/orthat the second wireless network 122 is to operate the wireless pagingchannel 131 in the paging repetition mode for the mobile communicationdevice 110, the first wireless network 121 allocates multiple pagingoccasions on the wireless paging channel 131 for use by the mobilecommunication device to receive one or more paging notifications 151from the wireless network 121.

In one embodiment, the communications 631 from the mobile communicationdevice 110 to the wireless network 121 include a request from the mobilecommunication device 110 notifying the first wireless network 121 tosupport a specific type of paging notifications (such as pagingrepetition) over the wireless paging channel 131 of the first wirelessnetwork. The communications 632 from the mobile communication device 110to the wireless network 122 include a request from the mobilecommunication device 110 notifying the second wireless network 122 tosupport a specific type of paging notifications (such as pagingrepetition) over the wireless paging channel 132 of the first wirelessnetwork.

Note that each of the wireless network 121 and wireless network 122provides wireless connectivity to multiple mobile communication devices,some of which do not require a paging repetition mode as describedherein. For those single SIM devices, the wireless paging channel 131supports conventional paging in which the wireless network 121 assigns asingle paging frame and corresponding paging occasion in a cycle inwhich to notify the single SIM mobile communication devices ofrespective paging notifications. As previously discussed, the increasednumber of paging notifications to the mobile communication device 110(because it is a multi-SIM device) ensure that the mobile communicationdevice 110 is able to receive its paging notifications.

FIG. 7 is an example timing diagram illustrating repetition of pagingnotifications in a paging channel according to embodiments herein.

In response to receiving input indicating to operate the wireless pagingchannel 131 in the paging notification repetition mode, the firstwireless network 121 allocates multiple paging occasions in a respectivepaging frame cycle 720 of the wireless paging channel 131 to the mobilecommunication device 110.

In one embodiment, the mobile communication device 110 and/or therespective wireless network are both aware of the paging structure(paging occasions) that are to be monitored by the mobile communicationdevice 110 when operating in a multiple-SIM mode. For example, in oneembodiment, additional paging occasions are allocated for use by themobile communication device 110 to receive a respective pagingnotification.

As a more specific example, in response to operating the mobilecommunication device in multi-SIM mode, assume that the wireless network121 allocates the paging occasion 731-1 in paging frame 741-1 and thepaging occasion 731-2 in paging frame 741-2 in paging cycle 720 to themobile communication device 110 to receive a respective pagingnotification A1.

In such an instance, the multiple paging occasions on the wirelesspaging channel 131 of the first wireless network 121 include a firstpaging occasion 731-1 and a second paging occasion 731-2. The firstpaging occasion 731-1 is present in a first paging frame 741-1 of thewireless paging channel 131; the second paging occasion 731-2 is presentin a second paging frame 741-2 of the wireless channel 131. Repetitionof the given paging notification A1 includes: i) encoding the firstpaging occasion 731-1 to include the given paging notification A1, andii) encoding the second paging occasion 731-2 to include the givenpaging notification A1.

In one nonlimiting example embodiment, after detecting presence of apaging notification in the monitored paging occasions, the mobilecommunication device 110 can discontinue monitoring the other pagingoccasions associated with the paging repetition mode. For example, ifthe wireless network 121 detects that the mobile communication device110 received the paging notification A1 in paging occasion 731-1, thewireless network 121 does not transmit the paging notification A1 againin paging occasion 731-2.

Conversely, if the wireless network 121 does not detect that the mobilecommunication device 110 received the paging notification A1 in pagingoccasion 731-1, the wireless network 121 transmits the pagingnotification A1 again in paging occasion 731-2. Thus, embodiments hereininclude encoding the second paging occasion 731-2 to include the givenpaging notification A1 in response to detecting that the mobilecommunication device 110 missed receiving the given paging notificationin the first paging occasion 731-1.

Thus, in one embodiment, via the wireless paging channel 131, inaccordance with the paging repetition mode, the mobile communicationdevice 110 is allocated multiple paging occasions, each in a differentpaging frame of the repeating corresponding paging cycles.

As previously discussed, the repetition of given paging notification A1in multiple different paging occasions of the wireless paging channel131 ensures that the mobile communication device 110 is able to receivethe given paging notification A1 even if the mobile communication device110 happens to miss receiving the given notification A1 in one of theallocated paging occasions. In one embodiment, the repetition of thegiven paging notification A1 allows the mobile communication device 110to temporarily tune-away to a second wireless network 121 and return tomonitoring the wireless paging channel 131 of the first wireless network121 in sufficient time to detect at least one rendition of the givenpaging notification A1.

Note that the number of paging occasions assigned to the mobilecommunication device 110 can vary depending on the embodiment. Forexample, if desired, the mobile communication device 110 can beallocated more than 2 paging occasions in each respective paging cycle.

FIG. 8 is an example timing diagram illustrating repetition of pagingnotifications in a paging channel according to embodiments herein.

As previously discussed, embodiments herein include reducing pagingcollisions/conflicts between network 121 and wireless network 122 viarepetitive paging notifications in either or both networks. In oneembodiment, the paging repetition mode is implemented for mobilecommunication devices that support multiple SIMs.

As previously discussed, any suitable method can be used to notify therespective wireless network that the mobile communication device is amulti-SIM mobile communication device.

In one embodiment, if the communication manager 141 (such as gNB)associated with the wireless network 121 identifies that the mobilecommunication device 110 (MUSIM UE) has missed a paging message A1, thecommunication manager 141 resends the paging message in the nextavailable PF (and at the same PO index offset such as index offset=X).The wireless base station 161 repeats paging notification A1 any numberof times (such as Rivero, a configurable number of paging repetition forwhich the MUSIM UE is also aware of).

In such an instance, the behavior of the MU SIM UE is as follows: afterthe UE determines that it'd miss the first assigned paging occasion, itattempts to monitor the paging occasion of the next paging frame, unlessthe mobile communication device 110 has missed more than R consecutivepaging frames. If the MUSIM UE monitors and detects theoriginally-assigned paging occasion in a paging frame, the UE skipsmonitoring of subsequent paging occasions until the next assigned pagingframe (i.e., the mobile communication device skips any paging framesthat were assigned for paging repetition after detecting).

In this example embodiment, the wireless paging channel 131 includesmultiple paging frames PF1, PF2, PF3, etc., per paging frame cycle (suchas paging frame cycle PF1, paging frame cycle PF2, etc.). The mobilecommunication device 110 is assigned paging occasion PO2 in paging framePF2 and paging occasion PO2 in paging frame PF3 for each of multiplepaging frame cycle (such as paging frame cycle #1, paging frame cycle#2, etc.). In a manner as previously discussed, the mobile communicationdevice 110 monitors for presence of the paging notification A1 in themultiple assigned paging occasions of the paging frame cycle #1; themobile communication device 110 monitors for presence of the pagingnotification A1 in the multiple assigned paging occasions of the pagingframe cycle #2; and so on.

In accordance with further example embodiments, each of the pagingoccasions that includes a respective paging notification to the mobilecommunication device 110 also includes an index value such as value V1,value V2, etc.

In one embodiment, the respective index value indicates a pagingrepetition value indicating the order of occurrence of the pagingnotification. More specifically, value V1 indicates that the pagingnotification A1 in paging occasion PO2 of paging frame PF2 of pagingframe cycle #1 is a first occurrence of the paging notification A1 in apaging notification repetition sequence; value V2 indicates that thepaging notification A1 in paging occasion PO2 of paging frame PF3 ofpaging frame cycle #1 is a second occurrence of the paging notificationA1 of the paging notification repetition sequence; and so on.

In this manner, the mobile communication device 110 is made aware of thespecific location of each respective paging notification in a sequenceof receiving the repetition of paging notifications A1 and whether anyare missed.

FIG. 9 is an example timing diagram illustrating repetition of pagingnotifications in a paging channel according to embodiments herein.

In yet further embodiments, the multiple paging occasions assigned tothe mobile communication device 110 during paging repetition modeinclude a first paging occasion and a second paging occasion in a single(or same) paging frame of the wireless paging channel 131. In such anembodiment, repeating the given paging notification includes: i)encoding the paging occasion 931-1 in the paging frame 941-1 to includethe given paging notification A2, and ii) encoding the paging occasion941-2 in paging frame 941-2 to include the given paging notification A2,iii) encoding the paging occasion 931-1 in the paging frame 941-1 toinclude the given paging notification A2, and iv) encoding the secondpaging occasion 941-2 in paging frame 941-2 to include the given pagingnotification A2.

In accordance with further example embodiments, any of one or morepaging occasions assigned or allocated to the mobile communicationdevice 110 is contiguous with each other. For example, in this exampleembodiment, the paging occasion 1030-1 is contiguous with the pagingoccasion 1030-2; the paging occasion 1030-2 is contiguous with thepaging occasion 1030-3; and so on.

FIG. 10 is an example timing diagram illustrating repetition of pagingnotifications in a paging channel according to embodiments herein.

In one embodiment, the paging repetition occurs for a number Rconsecutive paging occasions (such as either in the same paging frameand/or the immediately next paging frame, depending on the PO index). Inone embodiment, within each paging repetition (repeated pagingnotification message), there may be an identifier value (such as V1, V2,V3, V4) which indicates the order of the paging message in the Rconsecutive paging occasions. For example, the UE may later use thisidentifier in order to tune its receiver hardware to the subsequentpaging messages.

In one embodiment, if the time between two immediate paging occasions isless than the amount of time for the communication manager 141 (gNB) ofwireless network 121 to find out if the mobile communication device 110(such as a MUSIM UE) has missed the originally-assigned paging occasion,then the communication manager 141 (gNB) may irrespectively repeat thepaging for the mobile communication device 110 in R consecutive pagingoccasions. After the mobile communication device 110 monitors anddetects a paging notification A2 in the originally-assigned pagingoccasion, the mobile communication device skips monitoring thesubsequent paging occasions.

In accordance with further example embodiments, to enable acommunication manager 141 (gNB) to balance the number of paging messagesacross multiple consecutive paging occasions, a mobile communicationdevice (UE) may be configured to monitor the R consecutive pagingoccasions until it either has detected its ue_Identity (that matches itsfulll-RNTI if in RRC_INACTIVE, or the UE identity allocated by upperlayers in RRC_IDLE) in any PagingRecords of the detected paging messageor it has exhausted monitoring all the R consecutive paging occasionsstarting from the originally assigned paging occasion.

Alternatively, paging repetition may occur in R consecutive PDCCHmonitoring occasions (PMOs) of the originally assigned paging occasionand the next following paging occasion.

In yet further example embodiments, to enable a communication manager141 (gNB) to balance the number of paging messages across multipleconsecutive PMOs, a MUSIM UE may be configured to monitor the Rconsecutive paging monitoring occasions or until it has detected itsue_Identity.

Note again that the above paging repetition methods (such as pagingrepetition mode) can be requested by the mobile communication device 110such as after the mobile communication device 110 has identified a highchance of paging collisions or paging conflicts receiving pagingnotifications from one or both wireless networks to which it has beenprovisioned for use.

As further shown in FIG. 10, the paging frame cycle #1 of the wirelesspaging channel 131 includes paging frame PF1, paging frame PF2, pagingframe PF3, etc. Each paging frame includes paging occasion PO1, PO2,PO3, . . . , Pox, and POy. The mobile communication device 110 isallocated used of a set of paging occasions in each paging frame cycleas below.

For example, in one embodiment, the mobile communication device 110 isassigned use of R=4 paging occasions in paging frame cycle #1 includingi) paging occasion POx of paging frame PF2 in paging frame cycle #1, ii)paging occasion POy of paging frame PF2 in paging frame cycle #1, iii)paging occasion PO1 of paging frame PF3 in paging frame cycle #1, iv)paging occasion PO2 of paging frame PF3 in paging frame cycle #1.

In a similar manner, the mobile communication device 110 is assigned useof R=4 paging occasions in paging frame cycle #2 including i) pagingoccasion POx of paging frame PF2 in paging frame cycle #2, ii) pagingoccasion POy of paging frame PF2 in paging frame cycle #2, iii) pagingoccasion PO1 of paging frame PF3 in paging frame cycle #2, iv) pagingoccasion PO2 of paging frame PF3 in paging frame cycle #2. In accordancewith further example embodiments, each of the consecutive pagingoccasions that includes a respective paging notification (such as A2) tothe mobile communication device 110 also includes an index value such asvalue V1, value V2, value V3, value V4, etc.

In one embodiment, the index value indicates a paging repetition valueindicating the order of occurrence of the paging notification. Morespecifically, value V1 indicates that the paging notification A2 inpaging occasion POx of paging frame PF2 of paging frame cycle #1 is afirst occurrence of the repetition associated with paging notificationA2 in the paging notification repetition sequence; value V2 indicatesthat the paging notification A2 in paging occasion POy of paging framePF2 of paging frame cycle #1 is a second occurrence of the pagingnotification A2 in the paging notification repetition sequence; value V3indicates that the paging notification A2 in paging occasion PO1 ofpaging frame PF3 of paging frame cycle #1 is a third occurrence of thepaging notification A2 in the paging notification repetition sequence;value V4 indicates that the paging notification A2 in paging occasionPO2 of paging frame PF3 of paging frame cycle #1 is a fourth occurrenceof the paging notification A2 in the paging notification repetitionsequence; and so on. In this manner, the mobile communication device 110is made aware of the specific location of a respective pagingnotification in a sequence of a repetition of receiving the pagingnotifications A2 and whether any are missed.

FIG. 11 is an example block diagram of a computer system forimplementing any of the operations as previously discussed according toembodiments herein.

Any of the resources (such as communication manager 140, communicationmanager 141, user equipment 160, wireless base station 160, etc.) asdiscussed herein can be configured to include computer processorhardware and/or corresponding executable instructions to carry out thedifferent operations as discussed herein.

As shown, computer system 1150 of the present example includesinterconnect 1111 coupling computer readable storage media 1112 such asa non-transitory type of media (which can be any suitable type ofhardware storage medium in which digital information can be stored andor retrieved), a processor 1113 (computer processor hardware), I/Ointerface 1114, and a communications interface 1117.

I/O interface(s) 1114 supports connectivity to repository 1180 and inputresource 1192.

Computer readable storage medium 1112 can be any hardware storage devicesuch as memory, optical storage, hard drive, floppy disk, etc. In oneembodiment, the computer readable storage medium 1112 storesinstructions and/or data.

As shown, computer readable storage media 1112 can be encoded withcommunication manager application 140-1 (e.g., including instructions)in a respective wireless station to carry out any of the operations asdiscussed herein.

During operation of one embodiment, processor 1113 accesses computerreadable storage media 1112 via the use of interconnect 1111 in order tolaunch, run, execute, interpret or otherwise perform the instructions incommunication manager application 140-1 stored on computer readablestorage medium 1112. Execution of the communication manager application140-1 produces communication manager process 140-2 to carry out any ofthe operations and/or processes as discussed herein.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the computer system 1150can include other processes and/or software and hardware components,such as an operating system that controls allocation and use of hardwareresources to execute communication manager application 140-1.

In accordance with different embodiments, note that computer system mayreside in any of various types of devices, including, but not limitedto, a mobile computer, a personal computer system, a wireless device, awireless access point, a base station, phone device, desktop computer,laptop, notebook, netbook computer, mainframe computer system, handheldcomputer, workstation, network computer, application server, storagedevice, a consumer electronics device such as a camera, camcorder, settop box, mobile device, video game console, handheld video game device,a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, set-top box,content management device, handheld remote control device, any type ofcomputing or electronic device, etc. The computer system 1150 may resideat any location or can be included in any suitable resource in anynetwork environment to implement functionality as discussed herein.

Functionality supported by the different resources will now be discussedvia flowcharts in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14. Note that the steps in theflowcharts below can be executed in any suitable order.

FIG. 12 is an example diagram illustrating a method according toembodiments herein. Note that there will be some overlap with respect toconcepts as discussed above.

In processing operation 1210 of flowchart 1200, the mobile communicationdevice receives first paging notifications 151 directed to a mobilecommunication device 110 from a first wireless base station 161 in thewireless network 121 operated by service provider #1.

In processing operation 1220, the mobile communication device 110receives second paging notifications 152 directed to the mobilecommunication device 110 from a second wireless base station 162 in thewireless network 122 operated by service provider #2.

In processing operation 1230, the communication management 140 transmitscommunications 145 from the mobile communication device 110 to thesecond wireless base station 162. The communications 145 notify thesecond wireless base station 162 of a conflict associated with themobile communication device 110 receiving the first paging notifications151 and the second paging notifications 152.

FIG. 13 is an example diagram illustrating a method according toembodiments herein. Note that there will be some overlap with respect toconcepts as discussed above.

In processing operation 1310 of flowchart 1300, the wireless basestation 162 of the second first wireless network 122 transmits pagingnotifications 152 to the mobile communication device 110. The pagingnotifications 152 notify the mobile communication device 110 of pagingevents associated with the wireless network 122.

In processing operation 1320, the wireless network 122 monitors aschedule of paging notifications 151 associated with wireless network121. The paging notifications 151 are scheduled fortransmission/distribution to the mobile communication device 110 fromthe first wireless network 121.

In processing operation 1330, via communications 345 from the wirelessnetwork 122 to the mobile communication device 110, the wireless basestation 162 notifies the mobile communication device 110 of the scheduleof paging notifications 151 associated with the wireless network 121.

FIG. 14 is an example diagram illustrating a method according toembodiments herein. Note that there will be some overlap with respect toconcepts as discussed above.

In processing operation 1410 of flowchart 1400, the wireless network 121receives input indicating to operate a wireless paging channel 131 in apaging repetition mode for the mobile communication device 110.

In processing operation 1420, in response to receiving the input, thewireless network 121 allocates multiple paging occasions in a respectivepaging frame cycle of the wireless paging channel 131 to the mobilecommunication device 110.

In processing operation 1430, via the wireless paging channel 131, inaccordance with the paging repetition mode for the mobile communicationdevice 110, the wireless network 121 repeats a given paging notificationin each of the multiple paging occasions allocated to the mobilecommunication device 110.

Note again that techniques herein are well suited to facilitate use of ashared wireless channel amongst different types of wireless stations.However, it should be noted that embodiments herein are not limited touse in such applications and that the techniques discussed herein arewell suited for other applications as well.

Based on the description set forth herein, numerous specific detailshave been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimedsubject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, methods, apparatuses, systems, etc., thatwould be known by one of ordinary skill have not been described indetail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter. Some portions of thedetailed description have been presented in terms of algorithms orsymbolic representations of operations on data bits or binary digitalsignals stored within a computing system memory, such as a computermemory. These algorithmic descriptions or representations are examplesof techniques used by those of ordinary skill in the data processingarts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art.An algorithm as described herein, and generally, is considered to be aself-consistent sequence of operations or similar processing leading toa desired result. In this context, operations or processing involvephysical manipulation of physical quantities. Typically, although notnecessarily, such quantities may take the form of electrical or magneticsignals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared orotherwise manipulated. It has been convenient at times, principally forreasons of common usage, to refer to such signals as bits, data, values,elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, numerals or the like. Itshould be understood, however, that all of these and similar terms areto be associated with appropriate physical quantities and are merelyconvenient labels. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparentfrom the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout thisspecification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,”“computing,” “calculating,” “determining” or the like refer to actionsor processes of a computing platform, such as a computer or a similarelectronic computing device, that manipulates or transforms datarepresented as physical electronic or magnetic quantities withinmemories, registers, or other information storage devices, transmissiondevices, or display devices of the computing platform.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentapplication as defined by the appended claims. Such variations areintended to be covered by the scope of this present application. Assuch, the foregoing description of embodiments of the presentapplication is not intended to be limiting. Rather, any limitations tothe invention are presented in the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: receiving input indicating to operatea wireless paging channel in a paging repetition mode for a mobilecommunication device; in response to receiving the input, allocatingmultiple paging occasions in a respective paging frame cycle of thewireless paging channel to the mobile communication device; via thewireless paging channel, in accordance with the paging repetition mode,repeating a given paging notification in each of the multiple pagingoccasions allocated to the mobile communication device; wherein themultiple paging occasions includes a first paging occasion and a secondpaging occasion; and wherein repeating the given paging notificationincludes: i) encoding the first paging occasion to include the givenpaging notification and a first identifier value, the first identifiervalue indicating that the given paging notification in the first pagingoccasion is a first transmission of the paging notification, and ii)encoding the second paging occasion to include the given pagingnotification and a second identifier value, the second identifier valueindicating that the given paging notification in the second pagingoccasion is a second transmission of the given paging notification. 2.The method as in claim 1, wherein the first paging occasion iscontiguous in time with the second paging occasion in the wirelesspaging channel.
 3. The method as in claim 1 further comprising:communicating a wireless message from the wireless base station to themobile communication device, the wireless message notifying the mobilecommunication device that a first wireless network supports the pagingrepetition mode of repeating the given paging notification.
 4. Themethod as in claim 1, wherein repeating the given paging notificationincludes encoding the second paging occasion to include the given pagingnotification in response to detecting that the mobile communicationdevice missed receiving the given paging notification in the firstpaging occasion.
 5. The method as in claim 1 further comprising:receiving the input in a communication from the mobile communicationdevice.
 6. The method as in claim 1, wherein the input is a request fromthe mobile communication device to support the paging repetition mode.7. The method as in claim 1, wherein the first paging notification andthe second paging notification are associated with a first SIM(Subscriber Identity Module) assigned to the mobile communicationdevice, the first SIM providing the mobile communication device use of afirst wireless network; communicating second paging notifications from asecond wireless base station to the mobile communication device; andwherein the second paging notifications are associated with a second SIM(Subscriber Identity Module) assigned to the mobile communicationdevice, the second SIM providing the mobile communication device use ofa second wireless network.
 8. The method as in claim 7, wherein thefirst SIM is provided to the mobile communication device by a firstwireless network service provider; and wherein the second SIM isprovided to the mobile communication device by a second wireless networkservice provider.
 9. Computer-readable storage hardware havinginstructions stored thereon, the instructions, when carried out bycomputer processor hardware, cause the computer processor hardware to:receive input indicating to operate a wireless paging channel in apaging repetition mode for a mobile communication device; in response toreceiving the input, allocate multiple paging occasions in a respectivepaging frame cycle of the wireless paging channel to the mobilecommunication device; and via the wireless paging channel, in accordancewith the paging repetition mode, repeat a given paging notification ineach of the multiple paging occasions allocated to the mobilecommunication device; wherein the multiple paging occasions includes afirst paging occasion and a second paging occasion; and whereinrepeating the given paging notification includes: i) encoding the firstpaging occasion to include the given paging notification and a firstidentifier value indicating that the given paging notification in thefirst paging occasion is a first transmission of the given pagingnotification, and ii) encoding the second paging occasion to include thegiven paging notification and a second identifier value indicating thatthe given paging notification in the second paging occasion is a secondtransmission of the given paging notification.
 10. The method as inclaim 1, wherein the first paging occasion is included in a first pagingframe of the wireless paging channel and the second paging occasion isincluded in a second paging frame of the wireless paging channel. 11.The method as in claim 1, wherein the first paging occasion and thesecond paging occasion are included in a single paging frame of thewireless paging channel.
 12. The method as in claim 1, wherein the firstidentifier value and the second identifier value indicate an order ofthe wireless base station repeatedly transmitting the given pagingnotification.
 13. The method as in claim 1, wherein the first pagingoccasion includes a PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) portion inwhich the given paging notification is encoded.
 14. The method as inclaim 1, wherein the paging frame cycle includes a first paging frameand a second paging frame; and wherein the first paging occasion isincluded in the first paging frame of the wireless paging channel andthe second paging occasion is included in the second paging frame of thewireless paging channel.
 15. The method as in claim 14, wherein thefirst paging occasion is assigned a first index value; and wherein thesecond paging occasion is assigned the first index value.
 16. The methodas in claim 15, wherein the first index value indicates a locationwithin the first paging frame in which the first paging occasionresides; and wherein the first index value indicates a location withinthe second paging frame in which the second paging occasion resides. 17.The method as in claim 1, wherein the wireless paging channel is a firstwireless paging channel supporting first wireless communications over afirst wireless network based on a first SIM (Subscriber Identity Module)assigned to the mobile communication device, the method furthercomprising: at a second wireless base station, a second wireless pagingchannel, the second wireless paging channel supporting second wirelesscommunications over a second wireless network based on a second SIM(Subscriber Identity Module) assigned to the mobile communicationdevice.
 18. The method as in claim 17, wherein the mobile communicationdevice is operative to switch between monitoring the first wirelesspaging channel and the second wireless paging channel.
 19. The method asin claim 17, further comprising: at the wireless base station, receivinga message from the mobile communication device, the message indicatingthat the mobile communication device supports the paging repetition modeover the first wireless network and the second wireless network.
 20. Themethod as in claim 1, wherein the mobile communication devicediscontinues monitoring the wireless paging channel for the secondpaging occasion in response to receiving the given paging notificationin the first paging occasion.
 21. The method as in claim 1, whereininclusion of the first identifier value in the first paging occasion andinclusion of the second identifier value in the second paging occasionenables the mobile communication device to determine if a pagingoccasion to the mobile communication device has been missed.
 22. Themethod as in claim 1, wherein the paging frame cycle includes: a firstpaging frame and a second paging frame; and wherein the first pagingoccasion is included in the first paging frame of the wireless pagingchannel and the second paging occasion is included in the second pagingframe of the wireless paging channel; and wherein the first pagingoccasion is contiguous with the second paging occasion in the wirelesspaging channel.
 23. A system comprising: a wireless base stationoperative to: receive input indicating to operate a wireless pagingchannel of a first wireless network in a paging repetition mode for amobile communication device; in response to receiving the input,allocate multiple paging occasions in a respective paging frame cycle ofthe wireless paging channel to the mobile communication device; via thewireless paging channel, in accordance with the paging repetition mode,repeat a given paging notification in each of the multiple pagingoccasions allocated to the mobile communication device; wherein themultiple paging occasions includes a first paging occasion and a secondpaging occasion; and wherein repeating the given paging notificationincludes: i) encoding the first paging occasion to include the givenpaging notification and a first identifier value, the first identifiervalue indicating that the given paging notification in the first pagingoccasion is a first transmission of the given paging notification, andii) encoding the second paging occasion to include the given pagingnotification and a second identifier value, the second identifier valueindicating that the given paging notification in the second pagingoccasion is a second transmission of the given paging notification. 24.The system as in claim 23, wherein the first paging occasion iscontiguous with the second paging occasion in the wireless pagingchannel.
 25. The system as in claim 23, wherein the wireless basestation is further operative to: communicate a wireless message from thewireless base station to the mobile communication device, the wirelessmessage notifying the mobile communication device that a first wirelessnetwork supports the paging repetition mode.
 26. The system as in claim23, wherein the wireless base station is further operative to: encodethe second paging occasion to include the given paging notification inresponse to detecting that the mobile communication device missedreceiving the given paging notification in the first paging occasion.27. The system as in claim 23, wherein the wireless base station isfurther operative to: receive the input in a wireless communication fromthe mobile communication device.
 28. The system as in claim 23, whereinthe input is a request from the mobile communication device to supportthe paging repetition mode.
 29. The system as in claim 23, wherein thegiven paging notification is associated with a first SIM (SubscriberIdentity Module) assigned to the mobile communication device, the firstSIM supporting use of a first wireless network; and wherein the mobilecommunication device is assigned a second SIM (Subscriber IdentityModule) supporting use of a second wireless network.
 30. The system asin claim 29, wherein the first SIM is provided to the mobilecommunication device by a first wireless network service provider; andwherein the second SIM is provided to the mobile communication device bya second wireless network service provider.